Hello Reader, Ive had this story in mind for a while and finally mustered up the time and energy to get it started. I'm by no means a FanFic veteran and still have much to learn, but I'm going to have fun with this while I'm at it... Unless of course, I don't get much feedback, then I will not continue. So please do leave me your thoughts on this as, I will only write if there's someone actually reading out there.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, just the plot and my thoughts.

...On with the story! ;)

Preface-Chapter One: Unexpected encounter

Am I alive or just a ghost,

haunted by my sorrows.

-Red

"S-Sakura,"

A frail woman rasped, as labored breaths filled the quiet hospital room. She dragged her arm over to the girl sleeping on her bosom, caressing her cheek tenderly.

"Mmm... Mom?" the sleep deprived girl mumbled before squinting her blood-shot eyes open to take in her mothers appearance.

Pale.

So pale.

Sakura sat up instantly, now fully awake. Scooting closer, she leaned over her mother to stroke her forehead, noting the cold sweat and her shallow breaths, she grabbed her ice-cold wrist frantically to check her pulse.

"N-nurse! We need a nurse in he-"

Her frantic cry silenced as her mother grabbed her arm, slowly bringing the hand up to her lips, she kissed it softly.

Misty midnight-blue eyes regarded Sakura warmly, "I love you."

"No-" The rosette started in panic, fighting the urge to pull her hand away and scream at the woman before her.

"I'm a-always with you," she smiled so sweetly, so reassuringly.

As if death couldn't keep her away.

"Please, no," Sakura squeezed her mothers hand as anxiety began to seize her.

"Always, my love," She finished with her last breath before her eyes hazed over and head fell back against the pillow.

-Beep-

The monitor was loud and clear but all Sakura could hear was the beat of her own heart slamming against her rib cage.

"Oh God please no," She moaned brokenly, her shaking hands clutched at her scalp in fear and unbelief.

Desperate, she jumped from her seat on the bed to reach the nurse on the other side - who walked in without her notice during the scene.

Panting with the swell of her nerves, Sakura watched the medical nurse examine her mother... After a moment, the nurse regretfully reached over and shut her mothers eyes with a heavy sigh, then turned to the fragile rosette, "I'm sorr-"

"NO!" Sakura screamed as she tried to push past the nurse to get to her mother.

"Sakura,"

"I can't let you-"

"CHECK AGAIN!" Sakura shouted hysterically into the woman's face as she tried to get out of her restricting arms.

"Sakura!"

More voices could be heard within the hospital room, then - stronger arms were now on Sakura, retracting her and eventually carrying her away from the scene.

"Mom, mom.. MOM!"

"Sakura, wake up!"

She jerked at the sound before finally tearing her eyes open.

Sakura gasped for air.

Drenched in her sweat and disoriented, she ran a hand over her face and into her hair. Panting hard, she slowly sat up, to meet the concerned blue eyes of her best friend, leaning over her laid form on the bed.

Another nightmare, different day.

But it wasn't just a nightmare, it was her reality.

"Here," Ino handed her a cup of water, then proceeded to dab at her perspiring forehead with a small towel.

She numbly reached for the glass, muttering a breathless,"Th-thanks," before downing half the cup. Setting it down on the dresser beside the bed with shaky hands, she tried regulating her erratic breathing as best she could. She would not have a panic attack the first night she stayed in her dorm room. Unacceptable.

The bunk above her stirred, causing Sakura to hold her breath and turn questioning eyes on Ino.

"She's sound asleep," She answered reassuringly, reading her eyes with ease.

Sakura sighed in relief, she already felt horrible that her cries had woken up Ino (although its nothing really new for Ino, since she is usually, always the one to wake her) and had it been any other day she wouldn't feel as guilty, but they had class tomorrow. Well, actually, in a couple hours. It was 4:30am. And it was their FIRST day at the University, that they were completely unfamiliar with mind you, in this city they called Konoha. That was thankfully a couple hours away from home.

Feeling great regret, she quickly got her breathing under control before turning toward her blonde friend.

"Ino I'm better, please go back to bed and try to get some rest for tomorrow," Sakura pleaded

"What about you?" The platinum blonde questioned with a sleep-laced voice, as she continued to wipe her face gingerly. Sakura reached up and grabbed her wrists, halting her, "I will too, after I shower."

Ino eyed her friend skeptically.

Having grown up together she was very familiar with Sakura, with Sakura's guilt. She hated being a burden, especially since her mother died she had become even more independent. More to herself, closed off. Ino was the only one that saw her like this, at her most vulnerable, and it pained because Sakura was broken, and no one would ever know. She would keep it all together on the outside but on the inside she was dying. When night came around and the memories she was desperately trying to escape haunted her dreams, she crumbled all over again. But no one would ever know - including her own still-living father... Especially her father.

So she knew the rosette wouldn't be going back to sleep, not after re-living the passing of her mother.

"Please Ino."

"... Okay fine," She gave in, knowing full well that Sakura needed to get out of the building.

She smiled and leaned over to kiss the cheek of her sun-kissed-haired companion affectionately, who had truly, always been the sister she never had.

Getting off her bottom bunk wearily, Sakura slipped her shoes on, grabbed her robe and towel, then turned to smile at Ino reassuringly before quietly exiting their dorm room.

Turning the knob shut with a click, she heaved a heavy sigh, thankful to be out of the room that felt as though it was closing in on her. Making her way down the long hall, she took light steps, careful not to disturb the other sleeping girls in their dorms. The rosette absentmindedly played with the loose threads of her towel as she walked, as it proved to be a good distraction from her thoughts and the current nausea she was experiencing. Breathing deeply through her nose, she reached the familiar flight of stairs, grabbing the ramp to steady herself she began the long descent down, watching her feet one after the other.

Pushing off the last step she turned to her right, expecting the double-doors leading outside to be there but found the exit' nowhere in sight. Stumped, she turned to her left and found another flight of stairs leading down. Outwardly shaking her head at her own unawareness from their first arrival, she took to the second flight of stairs.

They were on the third floor of the building, and the exit' was on the first, you'd think they would have an elevator-system set up, honestly.

This school definitely has the money for it, She thought before finally pushing open what she hoped was the door leading outside, and was answered by the cool night air sweeping over her skin, spreading chills up her arms and neck.

Sakura breathed the fresh air deeply as she made her way over to the bath chamber.

A hot shower, her one true escape.

Surely she would have been on the road to recovery by now right? It had been six months since the tragedy occurred. Every time she dreamed of it she would wake up soaked, and shaken to the core. Guilt so strong she couldn't breathe, and the ache of abandonment consuming her. Yes, both parents had abandoned her. Although her father was alive, and had(much to her surprise) her move in with him since her mother died, she barely knew him... and she didn't want to know him. She hated him, and hated herself for succumbing to such a poison as hate. It wasn't like her... nothing about her was familiar lately, she felt like a different person. Her father didn't care, he couldn't even tell the difference, because he didn't know her.

He definitely didn't try to either, she wasn't even sure why he had taken her in. Out of obligation? Guilt? To keep a close eye on her?

The last one sounded about right, he had the whole power-trip thing going pretty well for him. He had been absent most of her life and then suddenly thought he could take the reigns again..? It didn't work that way.

He was late, and lost all rights when he left them.

When he left her mother for his secretary without any remorse, ten years ago.

Her mothers pale face flashed in her mind.

So Pale.

She shuddered.

Okay Sakura, think happy thoughts

'...'

Happy thoughts.

'...'

Come on!

Like, stupid sunshines- and rainbows and-

Sakura's train of thought was lost when she heard a scraping sound against the pavement... Not able to distinguish what side it had come from, she stopped just in front of the bath chamber and waited curiously.

Her eyes searched, from the buildings, to in-between the tree's, until she made a circle in place.

Officially losing it, Sakura sighed, ignoring the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, she proceeded inside the building.

A few moments later, a figure in a dark hoodie became visible rounding the corner a few feet away. He took steady, unhurried steps toward the same side of the bath chamber.

That read MALE.

Sakura's tense muscles instantly loosened as the hot water hit her back in a soothing motion.

She sighed blissfully.

After thoroughly washing her waist-length hair and body, she remained under the water, simply enjoying the warmth on her skin, on her face, and scalp. Sakura was washing the night away. That's how she liked to think of it.

Humming softly, she enjoyed the water a little while longer before getting out. Grabbing the towel off the hook next to the shower curtain, she wrapped it securely around her petite frame before drawing the curtains back and stepping out.

The rosette was so taken with finding her flip flops, she failed to notice the presence of the person standing just a few feet across from her, who had stopped in his tracks upon noticing her.

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He saw something pink from his peripheral vision when he noticed her.

What do we have here, he mused with a raised brow.

The boy leaned against the opposing lockers thoughtfully, unable to stop his eyes from traveling over the out-of-place figure. Her damp, pale-pink hair swayed with her every movement as she tip-toe'd across the chamber. Barely concealed curves were visible underneath her thin white towel that ended just above mid-thigh, graciously revealing her toned creamy legs

She was, delicate.

He shut his eyes at that, heaving a sigh in exasperation, he cleared his throat gruffly to get her attention.

Eyes widening from the sound, Sakura hesitantly turned in the direction it came from. Only to be met with; dark dripping locks, the darkest shade of obsidian- for eyes, along with a lean toned body, that was half-concealed by the black jeans hanging loosely on his hips, leaning against the lockers.

You just totally checked him out.

She gasped, unconsciously taking a few steps back until her back met the lockers none-too-gently. Sakura hugged the towel around her tighter, and felt the heat on her cheeks after the shower intensifying.

The boy was momentarily taken aback as her striking green eyes met his, they held eye contact for a few seconds as though in a trance before he suddenly vexed, "They're under your duffle bag."

Still dumbfounded against the lockers, and not missing the evident irritation on the handsome strangers face, it took Sakura a moment to understand that he was referring to her flip flops. The heat hit her even harder, if possible as she realized he must have been watching her for some time.

"W-what are you doing in here?" She demanded then cursed inwardly at how shaky her voice sounded.

Amused, he fought the smirk forming on his lips.

She was so flustered. It was refreshing.

"I should ask you the same thing."

...

..

.

*Melts* ..Shirtless Sasuke? Hubba Hubba.

Soo, To Continue or not To Continue? I have soooo much planned for this story. Yes our Sakura has a tragic past in this fic but be prepared for crazy, adrenaline-packed action!

Please do leave me your thoughts on this.

Thanks for reading :)